Small dirt bike 70- 80 cc or E-bike

[Jason277]

Hello all, after going up some very crappy old logging roads to get to where I get into wilderness areas to backpack hunt I started thinking about getting somthing like a small dirt bike or E bike to keep from beating the $hit out of my truck . Im a small frame guy at 5'7" 160 lbs so with a pack lets say 200-220 at the very most. Any suggestions ? Or experiences ? Thank you in advance. Jason

 

[fmyth]

To me the biggest disadvantage to one of the small 70-125cc motorcycles is the small frame/wheels. I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a Honda 150XL or similar. You can buy a new one for $3,299 and ride it forever with minimal maintenance and repairs. I'd avoid anything made in China including any of the Suron type ebikes.

 

[Jason277]

Ok , Maybe I should up the cc options

 

[fmyth]

To me the biggest disadvantage to one of the small 70-125cc motorcycles is the small frame/wheels. I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a Honda 150XL or similar. You can buy a new one for $3,299 and ride it forever with minimal maintenance and repairs. I'd avoid anything made in China including any of the Suron type ebikes.

The reason I would avoid E-bikes is that most aren't designed to be be waterproof. I've dropped dirt bikes crossing streams and completely submerged them and was able to continue on my way. Drop an ebike in a stream or let it sit out in the rain and you have a high chance of failure.

 

[cbailey1187]

Don’t buy an e-bike. They don’t get very good battery life per mileage. Most forests designate them the same as a dirtbike so you can only take them on certain trails. I have an e-bike and was extremely disappointed with it.

 

[BLJ]

To me the biggest disadvantage to one of the small 70-125cc motorcycles is the small frame/wheels. I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a Honda 150XL or similar. You can buy a new one for $3,299 and ride it forever with minimal maintenance and repairs. I'd avoid anything made in China including any of the Suron type ebikes.

Not sure about the XL’s, but some of the smaller Honda’s are now made in china.

My dad bought a CRF125F in the spring that was made in china (99% sure).
I’ll ask him later today and update.

It is a pretty nice bike. 19” front/16” rear and right at a 31” seat height. Around 200#.
He bought a taller seat for it and I believe there are taller risers for them as well.
If you go that route.

 

[insanelupus]

The Honda XR150L looks pretty sweet for a basic "just get around" ride. But it looks like you might pay more than MSRP due to dealers fees. I continue to look around at the idea of something similar myself.

 

[Blockcaver]

Sounds like an old Honda Trail 110 (1982 thru 1986) or 90 (1968 thru1979) would work. In low range they go super slow and climb well. In hi range they go about 47 mph wound out. Great gas mileage, 200 ish pounds, excellent rear luggage rack you can augment with a milk crate, etc. Auto clutch, 4-speed tranny, step-thru, 65 million made (sold world wide thru 2010 but only thru 1986 in North America) so parts are available from aftermarket suppliers.

Note that the 1980 110 did NOT have a hi-low range tranny so I’d avoid them. 1981 was a transition year as well. They are two models I’d avoid. Also pre-1968 had leading link front suspension and used two rear sprockets vs a sub-transmission for hi-low range so not near as easy to go to low range…15 minutes to change over.

But either get one in good running shape or prepare to learn to replace parts. U-tube is your friend if you choose a beater. They are small for a large person but the original poster is a small guy.

Note that the new Trail 125 version sold today is over 260 pounds and does NOT have the dual range transmission....and is quite pricey.

 

[IdahoElk]

I would get a used well cared for 125,250 4 stroke, If you get an animal down and have to shuttle it out an E bike won't be up to the job if distance, multiple trips and weight are considered. Depending on the spot I will use a 250 trials bike, works great.

 

[fmyth]

Not sure about the XL’s, but some of the smaller Honda’s are now made in china.

My dad bought a CRF125F in the spring that was made in china (99% sure).
I’ll ask him later today and update.

It is a pretty nice bike. 19” front/16” rear and right at a 31” seat height. Around 200#.
He bought a taller seat for it and I believe there are taller risers for them as well.
If you go that route.

No surprise. I know Honda bought Sundiro a Chinese moto manufacturer and many of their Honda branded parts are made in China and some Honda bikes are now assembled in Mexico. I would still avoid Chinese brands that you find on Amazon and Alibaba. A Honda from China would still be better than Chinashoowingding bike found on Amazon for 30% less.

 

[missjordan]

No to the e-bike and the dirtbike should be bigger. 70-80cc’s are for children. I’d go 150 4 stroke or bigger


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[Untamed]

Bigger engine. You will regret a small bike because the lack of power on the uphill and weight in pack. Personally I would not get anything smaller than a 250.

 

[Jason277]

ok, sounds like 125-250 is the move...

 

[stephane]

Check out the KLX140 dirtbikes. They come in a foxhole different sizes with larger tires. Would be perfect I think

 

[SloppyJ]

TTR, KLX, or XR dirtbike should work fine. Personally, id avoid a typical 250 four stroke. They make power higher in the rpms and are built more for going fast.

If I were in your shoes id find a nice older XR400. That motor is about as bullet proof as it comes. Air cooled with an oil cooler on it. I beat on a 400ex quad (same motor) for years and it wouldn't give up.

 

[BLJ]

Sounds like an old Honda Trail 110 (1982 thru 1986) or 90 (1968 thru1979) would work. In low range they go super slow and climb well. In hi range they go about 47 mph wound out. Great gas mileage, 200 ish pounds, excellent rear luggage rack you can augment with a milk crate, etc. Auto clutch, 4-speed tranny, step-thru, 65 million made (sold world wide thru 2010 but only thru 1986 in North America) so parts are available from aftermarket suppliers.

Note that the 1980 110 did NOT have a hi-low range tranny so I’d avoid them. 1981 was a transition year as well. They are two models I’d avoid. Also pre-1968 had leading link front suspension and used two rear sprockets vs a sub-transmission for hi-low range so not near as easy to go to low range…15 minutes to change over.

But either get one in good running shape or prepare to learn to replace parts. U-tube is your friend if you choose a beater. They are small for a large person but the original poster is a small guy.

Note that the new Trail 125 version sold today is over 260 pounds and does NOT have the dual range transmission....and is quite pricey.

Have you priced a nice 70 or 90 lately?
If you ever had one, you should have kept it.

No surprise. I know Honda bought Sundiro a Chinese moto manufacturer and many of their Honda branded parts are made in China and some Honda bikes are now assembled in Mexico. I would still avoid Chinese brands that you find on Amazon and Alibaba. A Honda from China would still be better than Chinashoowingding bike found on Amazon for 30% less.

It seems as though the Sundiro name is what I was finding before dad bought his.

And the people that I’ve talked to (no first hand knowledge) that have bought the Amazon chinese bikes have been very happy with them.
When dad was looking a comparable Amazon knockoff was about a third of the Honda.

 

[jaredg]

Yamaha TW200, thank me later

 

[Blockcaver]

Have you priced a nice 70 or 90 lately?
If you ever had one, you should have kept it.


It seems as though the Sundiro name is what I was finding before dad bought his.

And the people that I’ve talked to (no first hand knowledge) that have bought the Amazon chinese bikes have been very happy with them.
When dad was looking a comparable Amazon knockoff was about a third of the Honda.

I bought a 1993 Trail 110 that was imported to Canada in ‘93 from Australia. They call them Australian Ag Bikes with the dual range sub tranny. Beautiful shape with 1900 original km. I paid quite a bit last year given the age, haha.

And I had a 1966 CT200 growing up. Was the old model with a pushrod (not overhead cam) engine (CT90), leading link front suspension, and the dual sprockets for high and low range (pain in the butt).

Recently picked up a 2006 Yamaha XT 225 6-speed that needed the carb cleaned to make it run, plus a battery. Love it, might sell my Aussie Ag bike as I am a bit long legged and large for it! Runs great and all, just small. And Yamaha was about 60% of the cost of the Honda Trail 110.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Ive my own opinions on bikes. But if a guy wanted a smaller bike. I wouldnt overlook a crf230.

 

[JackButler]

Yamaha TW200, thank me later

For this purpose, hands down best option.